Mid-Hudson Children's Museum facts for kids
Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
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| Former name | Mid-Hudson Children's Museum |
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| Established | 1989 |
| Location | 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY |
| Type | Children's Museum |
| Visitors | ~80,000 annually |
| Public transit access | Poughkeepsie, Metro-North Hudson Line |
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (MHDM) is a fantastic museum for kids and families. It's located in the Hudson River Valley, between the big cities of New York City and Albany.
The museum used to be called the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum. But in 2022, it changed its name and added exciting new science exhibits. Now, it helps kids up to age 12 learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The museum wants to make learning fun and help kids discover new things.
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is a special kind of organization called a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. This means it's supported by ticket sales, memberships, donations, and grants. It's also a member of important museum groups like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). About 80,000 people visit the museum every year!
Contents
History of the Museum
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum was started in 1989 by a group of people in Poughkeepsie. For many years, it operated in different places, including the South Hills Mall.
In 2002, the museum moved to its current home at 75 North Water Street. This building is an old brick factory from the mid-1800s. It used to be a place called Innis Dye Works. The museum got some big upgrades in 2015 and 2016. These upgrades included creating a new Science Center and a fun outdoor Children's Garden.
The museum is guided by a board of directors. These are people who volunteer their time to help the museum run smoothly.
Museum Supporters and Partners
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum works with many groups and people. These partnerships help the museum grow, add new exhibits, and offer special programs.
The Dyson Foundation
In 2010, the Dyson Foundation did something really special. This foundation helps improve people's lives in the Hudson Valley. They bought the museum building! This made sure the museum would always have a permanent home by the waterfront.
The Dyson Foundation also helped pay for an elevator. This elevator makes the museum easier to access for everyone, including visitors with disabilities and older guests. They also helped the museum staff get special training and plan for the future.
Agency Pass and Corporate Membership Programs
The museum has programs for local businesses and agencies. They can buy memberships for their employees or for children they support. This helps more people visit the museum and enjoy its exhibits.
Fun Exhibits to Explore
The museum has five main areas, each with lots of cool things to do.
Early Learning Junction
The Early Learning Junction (ELJ) is perfect for younger kids, aged 0-4. It helps them get ready for school. Here, toddlers can improve their motor skills, thinking skills, and learn about reading. They also learn how to get along with others.
Imagination Playground
This exhibit is all about building and creating! It has giant, soft foam blocks that kids can use to build anything they can imagine. It's a great place for open-ended play.
Rivertown
Rivertown is like a miniature town inside the museum. Kids can explore a tiny fire station, a kitchen, a construction site, and more. This area helps kids develop their thinking skills through immersive play.
The Science Center
The Science Center @ MHDM opened in 2016. It's designed to help kids aged 0-12 develop critical thinking skills through early STEM education. Some popular exhibits include the Wonderdome, where you can explore the science of light. There's also Lift-and-Link, which has different building materials for kids to experiment with.
Science Revealed!
Science Revealed! is the newest attraction, added in 2022. This is part of the museum's re-branding to include exhibits for kids up to age 12. It has 16 custom-made, hands-on science exhibits. Visitors can explore motion, air, forces, fluids, and magnetism with their whole bodies!
Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market
Since 2017, the museum has hosted the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market. This market brings fresh farm produce to families and visitors in Poughkeepsie. It runs on Tuesday afternoons from May through October.
Learning and Outreach Programs
The Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum offers many hands-on programs. These programs help children explore the world, practice skills, and learn new things.
Field Trips
The museum offers special field trip opportunities for students from Pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. These trips let students learn in a real-world environment. They can experience things first-hand and use their senses. This also helps them boost their critical thinking skills.
Museum field trips are about 2.5 hours long. They are held on days when the museum is closed to the public. There are two types of field trips:
- Explorer: Classes can explore the exhibits at their own pace.
- Discovery: Classes also work on a STEM-based challenge. This challenge connects to New York State Science and NGSS Standards.
Community Outreach
MHDM also offers outreach programs. These programs bring museum activities to schools, libraries, and other organizations in the nearby area.
Admission and Membership
General admission to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is $13. Children under one year old can enter for free. The museum offers discounts for American military personnel with ID. They also offer discounts for people with EBT or SNAP cards. If you plan to visit often, you can also buy an annual membership!
